Child safe actuator overcap

ABSTRACT

A closure assembly is disclosed for the valved end of an aerosol container, incorporating an actuator-overcap member and a cooperating ring or collar to render the actuator inoperative in respect to the dispensing valve unless a specific relationship between the actuator-overcap and ring member is first established by rotating one relative to the other. Each member is provided with a keying element which, when in axial registry with the other, interfit to permit depression of the actuator, and each member is provided with means enabling an adult to visually recognize such registry as indicative of operative condition of the aerosol container while minimizing the change of a small child so recognizing or achieving such condition. In the preferred embodiment, registration can be effected only visually; no mechanical indication of registration is provided.

nite States Patent 1 Wakeman et al.

[54] CHILD-SAFE ACTUATOR-OVERCAP [75] Inventors: Alfred W. Wakeman, Durham; Paul M. Kotuby, Naugatuck, both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: The Risdon Manufacturing Company, Naugatuck, Conn.

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl ..222/48, 220/60 R, 220/85 P, 222/153, 222/402.ll [51] Int. Cl. ..B67d 5/22 [58] Field of Search....220/60 R, 85 P; 222/153, 182, 222/402.l1, 402.13, 41, 47, 48

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,050,219 8/1962 Sagarin et al ..222/402.13 X 3,254,669 6/1966 Perlman ..222/48 X [451 Mar. 27, 1973 7/1966 Ablanalp 222/182 57 ABSTRACT A closure assembly is disclosed for the valved end of an aerosol container, incorporating an actuator-overcap member and a cooperating ring or collar to render the actuator inoperative in respect to the dispensing valve unless a specific relationship between the actuator-overcap and ring member is first established by rotating one relative to the other. Each member is provided with a keying element which, when in axial registry with the other, interfit to permit depression of the actuator, and each member is provided with means enabling an adult to visually recognize such registry as indicative of operative condition of the aerosol container while minimizing the change of a small child so recognizing or achieving such condition. In the preferred embodiment, registration can be effected only visually; no mechanical indication of registration is provided.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures CHILD-SAFE ACTUATOR-OVERCAP CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of a copending application, Ser. No. 226,604, filed Feb. 15, 1972, now abandoned titled Child-Safe Actuator-overcap, of the same inventors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to actuators for aerosol containers, more especially actuators incorporated in or with a closure cap designed to be attached to and substantially enclose the valved end of such containers. A specific purpose of the invention is to'provide a closure device which will enable an adult user easily to condition parts of the closure assembly to enable operation of the aerosol valve to be effected to'dispense product from the container upon depressing an actuator tab or button incorporated in the closure, yet which will effectively prevent or deter a small child from being able to do so.

The prior art has developed many closure structures useful for aerosol containers, which structures incorporate provision for rendering them inoperative or ineffective to actuate the associated valve member of the container for release of product stored under pressure therein. Such prior arrangements have included the provision of temporary frangible protective covers over the actuator tab, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,397, or frangible tie-strips interconnecting the actuating tab member and adjacent portions of the overcap, as seen for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,078. Once such frangible members are broken away with first use of the dispenser, no further means is provided for preventing unintentional or unauthorized actuation of the dispenser valve in the normal manner. Obviously such arrangements provide no protection against accidential operation by small children, should they succeed in getting access to the dispenser.

Much thought has been given to this child-proofing problem and a number of arrangements have been developed which require manual positioning or coordinating of actuating members in order to render them operative with respect to the dispensing valve. Generally such arrangements have incorporated provi sion for manually moving an actuating member from an inoperative to an operative position, as by rotating the actuating member between fixed stops carried by some relatively stationary member such as an overcap. Examples of this are seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,050,219 and 3,484,023. Alternatively, a sliding or reciprocating motion of the valve actuating member has been resorted to in other cases to permit deactivating the actuator member, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,386,631 or 3,610,479. However it is still relatively easy for a child, in simply playing with such devices, accidentally to condition them in operative position, especially since these arrangements exhibit a mechanical or flexible indication of the valve actuator being positioned in operative position.

Other proposals for preventing accidential or unauthorized use of aerosol dispensers have utilized a locking member which is completely removable from and replaceable in a blocking position relative to the valve actuator, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.

3,l58,292. But separate blocking members are easily lost, or it is forgotten to replace them after each use. Even when replaced there is still a relatively good chance that a child will be able to render such a unit operative merely in the course of playing with it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designed to reduce substantially the chance that actuation of an aerosol dispenser can be accomplished by a small child, either deliberately or accidentally in playing with it. As more fully described hereinafter, this invention can be incorporated in a generally standard type of actuator-overcap with only minor modification of it, thus minimizing changes in production tooling and product styling. This actuator-overcap is complemented by a ring or collar member disposed between the actuator member and the valved end of the aerosol container. This collar member is retained in position surrounding the usual valve pedestal projecting from the end of the container by suitable fit with the pedestal or the surrounding containerchime. Each of the respective actuator and collar members is provided with a keying element, axially oriented relative to the overcap and container, which canbe brought into registry by rotation of the actuatorovercap or collar, under which condition the keying members will interfit to permit axial depression of the actuator. In the preferred arrangement, such registry however is indicated only by visual alignment indicia, not by any mechanical stop which can provide a way of feeling" for the registering (i.e. operational) position. Whenever the actuator-overcap and collar are not in proper registry with respect to each other, the actuator is blocked and cannot be depressed. Visual indication of proper registry for normal operation is afforded by the provision of a small peep-hole located in some suitable part of the actuator-overcap member, through which the user can sight against the collar. Suitable indicia on the collar, when brought into registry with the peep-hole by rotation of the actuator-overcap, thus signals the user that the assembly is in operative condition. Such registry can be made to provide any degree of suitably small tolerance through proper configuration of the keying elements, in order further to minimize the chance of accidential registration being achieved.

The invention is further illustrated by several preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view in front elevation of an aerosol container incorporating an actuator overcap assembly, certain parts being shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a view essentially similar to FIG. 1 but with parts shown in an alternative position; 1

FIG. 3 is an exploded fragmentary view of a dispenser similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 but showing the actuator overcap separated from the container;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the actuator-overcap;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross section on line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in cross section of portions of a modified overcap actuator assembly mounted on an aerosol container;

. FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing parts in different position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of parts as positioned in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified structure; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of still another modification.

An aerosol dispenser is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, comprising a container 22 for enclosing a product under pressure and having a valve assembly 24 secured in an end wall 26 of the container. An injection molded plastic closure assembly 28 is snap-fitted to the valved end of container 22, substantially enclosing that end of the container. Closure assembly 28 comprises an overcap member 30 with a valve actuating member 32 which in this instance is integrally incorporated in the overcap as a hinged tab. Overcap 30 is formed with diametrically opposed curved depressions 34, 36, defining the front and rear faces of the aerosol dispenser, respectively. The closed top or end wall 38 of overcap 30 is slotted symmetrically with respect to the diameter bisecting curved depressions 34, 36 to provide the aforesaid actuating tab which is thus in tegrally hinged at its rear to the side wall of the overcap. Actuating tab 32 is formed with a finger portion which lies normally in substantially the plane of the aperture, and with a vertical or forwardly-directed face 40 onto which a discharge orifice 42 opens. Adjacent to the forward or free end of tab 32 it is formed on its undersurface with a depending hub 44 whose vertical axis coincides generally with the axis of the projecting valve stem 46 of valve assembly 24 when closure assembly 28 is positioned on container 22. Hub 44 is formed with a downwardly, interiorily opening socket 48'to receive the projecting end of the valve stem 46, and is further formed with a fluid passage 50 connecting discharge orifice 42 and socket 48 internally of tab 32.

Overcap 30 is formed interiorly with an annular wall 52 which serves as a means for retaining the overcap on the valved end of container 22. The free lip of wall 52 is formed with a small internal bead 54 which snaps over the rim 56 of valve assembly 24 where it is crimped to the end wall 26 of the container. Overcap 30 is thus restrained against axial separation from the end of the container, but the fit is made sufficiently loose to permit the overcap to be rotated about the container axis.

In the conventional dispenser, tab 32 is freely depressible with respect to its supporting overcap 30, whereby it engages the end of valve stem 46 to depress that and open the valve to allow contents of container 22 to be discharged through orifice 42.-ln accordance with the present invention, in order to prevent unauthorized actuation of valve assembly 24, ring or collar 60 is positioned about the pedestal 62 of valve assembly 24. In the form here illustrated, collar 60 is formed with an internal peripheral bead 64at its inner end which snaps into the neck or depression normally formed crimping of pedestal 62 to internally retain the valve housing, thus restraining the collar on the pedestal. Collar 60 projects axially above the end of pedestal and the upper rin of the. collar is smooth except for a notch or depression 66 let into that edge at one point in its periphery. Notch 66 is relatively narrow, comprising only a very small angular percentage of the total periphery of the rim.

A cooperating web or rib 68 is formed on the undersurface of actuating tab 32, projecting transversely of hub 44 and oriented generally axially of the overcap, the thickness of web 68 being coordinated with the width of notch 66 such that when the two are brought into vertically aligned registry they will interfit upon depression of actuating tab 32. Thus notch 66 in collar 60 and web 68 of actuating tab 32'constitute keying elements which permit depression of the actuating tab in their position of exact registry as seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Such condition of registry is brought about by rotating overcap 30 relative to the container, and hence relative also to collar 60 supported by the container independently of the overcap. I

In the normal, non-actuated position of actuating tab 32, as seen more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 5, the lower edge of web 68 extends over and terminates very close to the upper edge of collar 60. Thus, except in the position of registry of the keying elements, such elements coact to block depression of actuator tab 32.

Although indication of registration can be obtained by looking down between the face 40 of actuating tab 32 and the forwardly curved surface 34 of overcap 30 (see FIG. 4), it is preferredto provide independent alignment indicating means. As here shown such means consists o'f molding a small protuberance 70, or simply a painted dot, at a selected point on the upper rim of collar 60 which coincides in the registering condition of the keying elements with the aperture or window 72 some portion of the actuator-overcap 28, in this instance in actuating tab 32 in the ribbed area where finger pressure is normally applied for'actuating the valve. Thus by sighting along line 5 (FIG. 2) through window 72 as the overcap is turned relative to collar 60, a visual indication of registration of the keying members is indicated by the appearance in window 72 of indici a mark 70. Such registration indication occurs of course without any manifestation of touch or feel, being dependent solely on visual coordination to achieve the condition. The arrangement thus is substantially safe against use by very young children up to the age of at least four or five. It is, however, made readily operable by persons able to read by providing appropriate legend on the cap giving instructions as to how to render the actuator-overcap assembly operable.

A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. Again an overcap is provided with an internal peripheral wall 152 which snaps over rim 156 of valve assembly 124 to retain the overcap on the container. Overcap 130 is rotatable about the axis of the container, as before, and is formed to provide an integral actuating tab 132 substantially identical to that described above. An annular collar 160 is formed with an internal shoulder 161 adapted to rest on the upper end of pedestal 162, allowing collar 160 to rotate freely about the pedestal. Collar 160 is provided with a notch 166 let into its upper edge, which notch cooperates with rib 168 on actuator tab 132 when in registering condition to permit depression of tab 132 in operation of the aerosol valve. In this instance collar 160 is formed with a radially projecting arm 163 carrying at its outer end a target or arrow 170 molded integrally with the arm. Target 170 extends into close relation to the inner surface of overcap 130(A window 172 is provided in the curved depressed front face 134 of the overcap in a position such that target 170 can be brought into substantially vertical alignment with it by relative rotation between the overcap and collar members. When target 170 is visually aligned with'aperture 172, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, registration of notch 166 and rib 168 is indicated, and actuator tab 132 can be depressed. Such registration is effected simply by rotating cap 130 on the containerand again no physical indication of registration, except visual, is manifested.

In this example, provision is made for positively preventing registration of the keying elements and conditioning of the actuator overcap for normal operation of the dispenser until a preliminary step has been taken. This involves the use of a removable resilient plug 173 which fits snuggly in window 172, projecting internally of overcap 130. As long as plug 173 is in place, registration of the keying elements cannot be achieved because the inner tip of plug 173 projects into the path of radial arm 163 of collar 160 as the overcap is turned, moving the collar with the cap. Thus it is necessary first to remove the resilient plug 173 and then rotate the cap to registering position in order to condition the dispenser for operation.

The modification shown in FIG. 9 is essentially similar to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 through 8, but in this instance provision is made for retaining collar 260 on valve pedestal 262, independently of the overcap. To this end, collar 260 is provided with a radial flange or plurality of radial fingers 265 which extend into trapped engagement with the peripheral recess I formed on crimping valve assembly 324 into the mouth of end wall 326. This arrangement offers certain advantages for production line assembly of the aerosol dispensers. Except for the different mounting arrangement, collar 260 functions in an identical way with previously described corresponding collar members.

In FIG. 10 still another arrangement is illustrated wherein a collar 360 is again provided with a notch 366 which, when registered with rib 368 of actuator tab 332, permits the tab to be depressed for valve operation. Collar 360 is provided with a lever 367 which projects radially through an aperture 369 formed in the front face 334 of overcap 330. Aperture 369 is of stepped configuration, and in order to effect registration between notch 366 ofcollar 360 and rib 368 of actuator tab 332, it is necessary to lift lever 367 off one step and move it onto the other step of the notch.

The invention has been illustrated above by certain preferred embodiments but it will be obvious that specifically different arrangements can be devised within the concept defined in the following claim. For example, the actuator-overcap member can be secured to the aerosol container by interference fit with the outer chime or rim of the container, gripping either inside or outside of such rim, rather .than by using an inner peripheral wall (e.g. wall 52) to grip the rim of the valve assembly. It will also be apparent that the actuator and overcap may be formed as separate mem-' bers, rather than being integrally formed as described above. Such modifications and others which are the ob vious equivalents of the constructions specifically described above for illustrative purpose are intended to be covered by the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A generally cylindrical closure assembly closed at one end and open at the other for attachment to the end of an aerosol container equipped with a dispensing valve and valve actuating stern projecting axially of the container, said assembly comprising in combination:

I. an overcap member for substantially enclosing the valved end of the container, said member having means for attaching it to such end ofthe-container to resist axial separation therefrom while permitting rotation relative thereto, said overcap member being formed to provide an aperture in its closed end;

II. a valve actuating member received in said overcap member to provide a finger portion accessible through said overcap aperture, said actuating member having:

1. a discharge orifice opening exteriorly of said overcap, a socket opening interiorly thereof and adapted to receive the projecting end of the valve stem, and a passage connecting said discharge orifice and socket internally of said member,

. a keying element formed on said member, said keying element being oriented to extend generally axially of the closure assembly,

III. a collar member having means for mounting it on portions of the valved end of the aerosol container to position said member concentrically of said container, said collar member having:

I. an upstanding peripheral wall,

2. a keying element incorporated into said upstanding wall complementary to the keying element of said actuator member and permitting interfitting in a generally axial direction of said elements when aligned;

said valve actuating and said collar members being freely rotatable relative to each other except when said actuating member is depressed relative to said overcap in the interfitting relation of said keying elements;

one of said overcap and valve actuating members being formed to provide a sighting aperture throughwhich a portion of said collar which incorporates said keying elementis visible upon rotating said overcap about the axis of the container to.

align said keying elements; said keying elements, except when thus-aligned, cooperating to-block depression of said actuating member relative to said overcap.

2. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, which further includes indicia means on said collar member, said indicia means when in registry with said sighting aperture providing visual indication of alignment of said keying elements.

3. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said keying element on said actuating member is an axially disposed rib and said keying element on said collar member is an axially disposed slot.

4. A closure assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the width of said slot is only slightly greater than the width of said rib.

5. A closure assembly as defined in claim I, wherein said collar member is formed to frictionally engage portions of the dispensing valve of the container to resist rotation of the collar relative thereto.

6. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said collar member is formed to be loosely received on portions of the dispensing valve of the container so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto.

'7. A closure assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein outwardly therefrom, a target being formed at its outer end and constituting indicia means, and said overcap member is apertured at a point such that, when said overcap is rotated to make said indicia means visible through said aperture, said keying elements are in axivally aligned condition.

8. A closure assembly as defined in claim 7, which further includes an elongated plug member removably retained in said overcap aperture, said plug extending inwardly of said overcap sufficiently to engage said radial arm and cause rotation of said collar with rotation of said cap, whereby to prevent registration of said keying elements.

9. A closure assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said collar member has a radially extending lever and said overcap member has an aperture through which said collar is formed to provide a radial arm extending said lever extends, said aperture having a stepped configuration and wherein said keying elements are so positioned on their respective members that they are in nonregistry when said lever is positioned on one step of said aperture but are in registration when said lever is positioned on a different step of said aperture.

10. A closure assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve actuating member is formed with said sighting aperture through which said collar member is 

1. A generally cylindrical closure assembly closed at one end and open at the other for attachment to the end of an aerosol container equipped with a dispensing valve and valve actuating stem projecting axially of the container, said assembly comprising in combination: I. an overcap member for substantially enclosing the valved end of the container, said member having means for attaching it to such end of the container to resist axial separation therefrom while permitting rotation relative thereto, said overcap member being formed to provide an aperture in its closed end; II. a valve actuating member received in said overcap member to provide a finger portion accessible through said overcap aperture, said actuating member having:
 1. a discharge orifice opening exteriorly of said overcap, a socket opening interiorly thereof and adapted to receive the projecting end of the valve stem, and a passage connecting said discharge orifice and socket internally of said member,
 2. a keying element formed on said member, said keying element being oriented to extend generally axially of the closure assembly, III. a collar member having means for mounting it on portions of the valved end of the aerosol container to position said member concentrically of said container, said collar member having:
 1. an upstanding peripheral wall,
 2. a keying element incorporated into said upstanding wall complementary to the keying element of said actuator member and permitting interfitting in a generally axial direction of said elements when aligned; said valve actuating and said collar members being freely rotatable relative to each other except when said actuating member is depressed relative to said overcap in the interFitting relation of said keying elements; one of said overcap and valve actuating members being formed to provide a sighting aperture through which a portion of said collar which incorporates said keying element is visible upon rotating said overcap about the axis of the container to align said keying elements; said keying elements, except when thus aligned, cooperating to block depression of said actuating member relative to said overcap.
 2. a keying element formed on said member, said keying element being oriented to extend generally axially of the closure assembly, III. a collar member having means for mounting it on portions of the valved end of the aerosol container to position said member concentrically of said container, said collar member having:
 2. a keying element incorporated into said upstanding wall complementary to the keying element of said actuator member and permitting interfitting in a generally axial direction of said elements when aligned; said valve actuating and said collar members being freely rotatable relative to each other except when said actuating member is depressed relative to said overcap in the interFitting relation of said keying elements; one of said overcap and valve actuating members being formed to provide a sighting aperture through which a portion of said collar which incorporates said keying element is visible upon rotating said overcap about the axis of the container to align said keying elements; said keying elements, except when thus aligned, cooperating to block depression of said actuating member relative to said overcap.
 2. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, which further includes indicia means on said collar member, said indicia means when in registry with said sighting aperture providing visual indication of alignment of said keying elements.
 3. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said keying element on said actuating member is an axially disposed rib and said keying element on said collar member is an axially disposed slot.
 4. A closure assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the width of said slot is only slightly greater than the width of said rib.
 5. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said collar member is formed to frictionally engage portions of the dispensing valve of the container to resist rotation of the collar relative thereto.
 6. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said collar member is formed to be loosely received on portions of the dispensing valve of the container so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto.
 7. A closure assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said collar is formed to provide a radial arm extending outwardly therefrom, a target being formed at its outer end and constituting indicia means, and said overcap member is apertured at a point such that, when said overcap is rotated to make said indicia means visible through said aperture, said keying elements are in axially aligned condition.
 8. A closure assembly as defined in claim 7, which further includes an elongated plug member removably retained in said overcap aperture, said plug extending inwardly of said overcap sufficiently to engage said radial arm and cause rotation of said collar with rotation of said cap, whereby to prevent registration of said keying elements.
 9. A closure assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said collar member has a radially extending lever and said overcap member has an aperture through which said lever extends, said aperture having a stepped configuration and wherein said keying elements are so positioned on their respective members that they are in nonregistry when said lever is positioned on one step of said aperture but are in registration when said lever is positioned on a different step of said aperture.
 10. A closure assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve actuating member is formed with said sighting aperture through which said collar member is visible, and said indicia means on said collar member is positioned substantially diametrically opposite the keying element thereon.
 11. A closure assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuator member is physically connected to and carried by said overcap member.
 12. A closure assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said actuator member comprises a tab integrally formed in said overcap member, being integrally joined at one end to said overcap to lie normally substantially in the plane of said aperture in the closed end of said overcap. 